The former Jackson 5 star, 55, said, “It was quite an abusive situation. It came on later in the relationship, verbal abuse and being [made to feel like] a prisoner in her own home. No pregnant woman needs to go through being called a bitch everyday. There were things like that. That’s what she went through.”

In a statement released to PEOPLE, attorneys for Al Mana say “Mr. Al Mana is not going to dignify these particular and deeply hurtful allegations with a response. The breakdown of his marriage to Janet Jackson is a cause of great sadness to Mr. Al Mana, and it is the wellbeing and privacy of their son, Eissa, that remains his sole focus.”

After announcing their separation, Al Mana referred to Jackson as “the most beautiful person in the world,” and a Jackson family source told PEOPLE, “Janet really trusts Wissam and he trusts her.”

“She and Wissam are working together to co-parent. They have a strong friendship. There is no fighting between them,” added the family source.

Jackson kicked off her State of the World Tour on Sept. 7 in Lafayette, Louisiana. The 56-city run will end in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 17.